Physical Therapist salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Physical Therapists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $113,850 a year ($54.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,700 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is 8% lower than the California statewide median of $124,190. There are 1.7 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $114,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| 25th percentile | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Median | $113,850 | $54.74 |
| 75th percentile | $133,860 | $64.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,700 | $76.30 |
| Average (mean) | $114,510 | $55.06 |
Half of physical therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,487.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,743.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,378.85 |
| Weekly | $2,189.42 |
| Hourly | $54.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $113,850 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $141,980 | 3,140 |
| Vallejo, CA | $141,530 | 300 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $140,100 | 290 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $139,000 | 1,460 |
| Napa, CA | $138,540 | 50 |
| Chico, CA | $134,970 | 180 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $131,430 | 1,610 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $128,680 | 310 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $127,460 | 40 |
| Salinas, CA | $127,120 | 190 |
| Modesto, CA | $126,600 | 400 |
| Merced, CA | $126,000 | 60 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $125,490 | 310 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $124,790 | 160 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $124,260 | 350 |
| Fresno, CA | $123,820 | 620 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $120,110 | 2,240 |
| El Centro, CA | $116,950 | 70 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $116,770 | 550 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $108,170 | 9,750 |
| Redding, CA | $107,980 | 150 |
| Yuba City, CA | $106,600 | 70 |
| Visalia, CA | $105,210 | 230 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $101,860 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
See Physical Therapist pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $139,520 | $67.08 |
| Physicians, All Other | $323,050 | $155.31 |
| Pharmacist | $165,130 | $79.39 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $163,860 | $78.78 |
| Dental Hygienist | $123,790 | $59.52 |
| Dentists, General | $158,160 | $76.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $119,690 | $57.55 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $105,040 | $50.50 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,160 | $79.41 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $295,530 | $142.08 |
| Veterinarian | $159,750 | $76.80 |
| Chiropractor | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| Pediatricians, General | $262,650 | $126.28 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1123. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for physical therapists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $113,850 a year, or $54.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $158,700 a year. The top 25% earn $133,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,500 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $96,820 or less.
How many physical therapists work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 2,680 physical therapists are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.